How can you tell.....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I figure someone is a new rider when they are:
--riding on the sidewalk when there's no compelling reason to,
--riding in the 'door zone',
--hugging the curb while riding.
--remaining on the right side of their lane in an intersection even when they are about to make a left turn.
--locking only a wheel with their cable lock. Sadly, I saw a lonely front bike wheel nicely locked to a metal fence on Main St in our little rural town last week.
--Both wheels are fairly flat while they are riding.
--saddle is set way low and their knees are bent at 90 degree angles on the upstroke. (does not apply to teenagers on teeny circus bikes, who do this normally) lol
--gigantic poofy foam saddle

[Crankin]

Ha, Lisa, I think those are the things I look at, too. Your list made me laugh, especially the hugging the right curb to turn left. Somehow, that stuff seems natural to me.
Zen, I will ride with you anytime. But, you or I would have to take a trip to do that. I am seriously thinking of finding a sports psychologist, or, I can just blame my fears on my neurotic Jewish family of origin.

[sundial]

...I can just blame my fears on my neurotic Jewish family of origin.

You do know that Jews have been awarded the highest number of Nobel prizes, right? Look, Julia Child admitted she couldn't boil water before she figured it all out. Einstein was bored with math and performed poorly in school. I think there will come a time when you will have an epiphany and your life will never be the same again. Each day you add another page in your life. Perhaps soon you will turn a page and begin a new chapter in your life.

[Crankin]

Geez, I was sort of kidding. My family (at least my mom and dad) were very normal. And my mom was far more athletic than I ever was, at least when she was young.
Don't think I'll ever win a Nobel Prize, however. I might learn to hold a line while descending down a curvy, steep hill at some point, but when, I am not sure. I did hit 33 mph yesterday, on a downhill though. Thought my head was going to fly off . I am just not sure why I find this so difficult, when the other parts of cycling have come fairly easy to me.

[BikeHN]

I feel ya Crankin! Fastest I've hit so far is 35.5mph (on a 'safe downhill'), I was feeling quite proud until I heard others after the ride talk about hitting upwards of 45mph. I know what prevents me from descending well is my head. I have this reoccuring thought that when I'm flying downhill, I'll hit a sharp rock and bust the front tire and go airborne into a ravine or face first into a tree. Yes, quite graphic I know, but nonetheless it's that thought that keeps me fearful of going downhill.

[Owlie]

I feel ya Crankin! Fastest I've hit so far is 35.5mph (on a 'safe downhill'), I was feeling quite proud until I heard others after the ride talk about hitting upwards of 45mph. I know what prevents me from descending well is my head. I have this reoccuring thought that when I'm flying downhill, I'll hit a sharp rock and bust the front tire and go airborne into a ravine or face first into a tree. Yes, quite graphic I know, but nonetheless it's that thought that keeps me fearful of going downhill.

Are you me? Well, for me it's potholes. There are lots of them (and poor attempts at their repair) around here.